MULTI-FRONT WAR

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 238, 5 July 1944, Page 6

MULTI-FRONT WAR

Satisfactory Results Developing NORMANDY POSITION (Uy 'Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Special Corresponilent.) LONDON, -Inly •*;. Satisfaction is expressed by wellinformed commentators on the position of the fronts in Normandy, Russia and. Italy. The fall of Cherlbourg is tiescribed as “a irintnpliant success” and "a great victory.” ■ - Commenting oii the fact that the Lt’ilish have attracted a concentration ot no fewer than seven panzer divisions to their front round Caen, Lieutenant-Gen-eral If. G. Martin, writing m the Daily Telegraph,” says: “No doubt Runilstedt and Rommel would dearly love to launch a general counter-offensive before the Allies can draw renewed-strength through Cherbourg. They might, thus reach a quick decision in the west, winch the High Command needs so desperately in order to release troops for otiter hardpressed fronts. From this, however, they are restrained by fear of further Allied landings elsewhere. “General Montgomery, on the other hand, finds his efforts to expand the beach-head opposed by this exceedingly powerful force of armour, more lieavip gunned than his own and practising in defence that most' effective of tactics, 'counter-infiltration/ The result so far has been more or less stalemate. If anu when we get some summer weather, the Allied air-forces, we may hope, will resolve the deadlock.” Better Enemy Weapons.

The “Dnily Telegraph’s” correspondout with the Allied forces, Christopher Buckley, says: ‘•Counter-infiltration has been practised successfully by the Germans during the past three weeks, anu they have left behind their main forces pockets of snipers and well-sited b> millimetre guns and occasional tanks “The SS-millimelre gun is probably the best anti-tank gun in existence, to which even the British 17-pouuner is not wholly an adequate rival. In addition, tiie Panther is certainly the best allround tank ill western Europe today, and, with the Tiger tank, is a deadly obstacle to our progress. The American Sherman tank is good. It operates to the best advantage in open country, but close country such as Normandy is bound to suit a tank with a bigger gun. At present the British are not attempting to thrust i'orward with their armour till a clear-cut 'break-through is achieved by other means.” . . Referring to Russia. Lieiitentinl-Gen-eral Martin says: “This .battle m the east, of which we are witnessing the opening phase, is one of tiie decisive battles of the world. True, all fronts in this German war are interdependent, the Allied effort on each contributing to victories on all the other fronts. None tiie less, the Russian front, because of its vast scope and wide opportunities for manoeuvre, is. undoubtedly the dynamic front, to which the others tire subsidiary. “Decision in East.” “Thus, though victory will be the victory of all —and made possible only byUm contributions of the Italian and westera fronts —the actual decision is likely to he won in the east.” He adds: “The plain truth is that the speed of the Hussion break-through in White Russia destroyed the whole basis on which the German High Command had built its plans.” “Strategieus,” in the .spectator, says: "The Italian front holds interesting possibilities. It is very doubtful whether Kesselring will be able to reach the Pisa-Rimini line in sufHcient strength to maintain his position, against, General Alexander’s attack for any appreciable, time. That prospect, would seem less discouraging if the Germans were able to make up the very heavy losses their armies in Italy have sustained. But they arc now losing everywhere , at: such a rate that, reinforcement, unless there can be drastic shortening of the front, is out of the question. “Indeed, the most remarkable feature of the present state of the general assault is that places like Cherbourg, Vitebsk and Orsha should fall so easily and yield such impressive captures of prisoners. If that happens now, what is likely to occur when other sectors come to life?"

MAIN OFFENSIVE

May Come On South Russia Front (Received Julv -1. .10.30 p.m.l LONDON, July -1. “V.m Bosch’s front in White Russia seems to have disintegrated in a manner strangely reminiscent of autumn. 1918,” says the military commentator. Lieuten-ant-General H. G. Martin, discussing the danger to Germany which the Soviet advance involves. “Not even the Red Army in its immensely superior strength, could advance 20 miles a day as it did last week through a strongly-fortified zone had it been faced with a resolute defence. This was no prearranged, skilfully-con-ducted German withdrawal according to plan. “We are Ic-fr with the explanation that the German High Command intended to tight this summer for a decision in the west and allotted its commanders on the Russian ami Italian fronts a programme lor a delaying action, for which it provided the minimum of effectives. Von Bosch did his best to hang on to White Russia, but got his front smashed. His precipitate withdrawal will compromise General Lindemann's army group further north. The Germans in their dilemma may be forced to transfer reinforcements from south Russia to the north, thereby weakening the front south of the I’ripet. Marshes. Nothing could suit the Red Army better, because it will soon open what it intends to be the main offensive, on the Galician and Rumanian fronts, where the Germans with their Hungarian and Rumanian satellites must stand and light till (hey break. It. is there that the final clash is likely Io come."